Neoclassical Gueridon
Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.
Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.
The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.
Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.
Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.
Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Ormolu
1840s Russian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Amethyst, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Slate
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Ormolu, Tôle
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Mahogany, Rosewood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Scagliola, Walnut
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Gold Leaf, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Gueridon
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Satinwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Bronze
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Walnut
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Alabaster
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Gueridon
Wood